The KT3 Ultra-ARU represents the high-end of the MSI KT333 line and comes with a long list of features. For standard options, the KT3 Ultra-ARU includes USB 2.0, ATA-133 IDE RAID, 6-channel integrated audio and an interesting selection of bundled hardware like one USB 2.0 bracket, one D-Bracket (USB Ports, LED diagnostics), and an S-Bracket for standard audio and SPDIF output. The board is missing integrated LAN functionality, which is a bit surprising considering the attention to detail the other integrated hardware gets.
As we alluded to above, MSI has packed the KT3 Ultra-ARU retail box full of goodies. In addition to the standard components such as the motherboard, floppy cable, two ATA-66/100/133 EIDE cables, a driver/utility CD, and a hardcopy user manual, MSI has also included three external brackets (USB 2.0, S-Bracket and D-Bracket), a "Geared by MSI" case sticker and a MSI DVD software CD. The user manual is well-designed, easy to read and navigate, and includes all relevant hardware setup, system BIOS, and driver installation instructions. The nifty metallic retail box and matching user manual deserve some mention, and the entire package and presentation is top-notch.
The MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU is one of the better KT333 layouts in this roundup, but even here there are some potential issues to deal with. The design of the IDE, floppy and IDE RAID connectors is near-perfect, with the standard ATA connectors adjacent to the DIMM sockets for easy access, and the dual IDE RAID ones near the bottom on the board on the outer right edge. This is the optimum design for this type of motherboard and you will have no problems with the IDE or floppy cables.
The CPU socket is vertically oriented, which makes the initial install a breeze, but may impact in-case HSF removal for those with small cases. The three DIMM sockets are also well placed for easy access, but can be a bit tight to remove memory, once an AGP card is installed. The board size is also not straight to ATX dimensions, and when installed, there is a bit of overhang from the ATX case standoffs. These are small issues that are quite common, but we would have liked to see a different placement for the ATX power cord. MSI has slapped it right next to the CPU socket, and in between it and the PS/2 connectors on the backplate. Depending on the HSF used, winding the ATX cable over or around the CPU might not be too much fun, and is about the only real problem we have with the overall layout.
For a motherboard with so many on-board features, the KT3 Ultra-ARU install was remarkably easy. With the included brackets, the hardware portion does take longer than some of the other products, but these are not required components and can be left off as required. Everything from the hardware install to the BIOS adjustment and inevitable Windows XP load went off without an issue, and the KT3 Ultra-ARU ranks up pretty high on the ease-of-use chart.
The MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU is a jumper-free motherboard and its system BIOS options are quite impressive. The fact that it includes an AMI BIOS put us off at the start (we find AWARD much easier to use) but once we got used to it, its overclocking potential shone through. Options exist for CPU multiplier, CPU core voltage, DDR voltage and even AGP-I/O voltage, with the range of selections representing the high-end of the KT333 scale. The AGP/PCI divider is also selected in the BIOS, thereby ensuring overclocking via the FSB is as easy as possible. All integrated components can be disabled using the BIOS, and virtually all performance and tweaking options are also present. With some of the other KT333 products, we made a list of missing or incomplete features, but the KT3 Ultra-ARU receives top marks for this implementation. If MSI had used an AWARD BIOS instead, it would be near-perfect.
The MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU impresses on all levels and is definitely in contention for the overall roundup crown. This board is also very flexible and could fit the bill for anything from a high-end gaming system to a powerhouse corporate box. There are a few niggling issues with the board layout, but these fall by the wayside in light of the overall package. MSI motherboards seem to just get better as time goes by, and the company has also not deviated from its excellent price-performance matrix. The KT3 Ultra-ARU is highly recommended performance motherboard that excels at performance and overclocking, yet won't break the bank.
